Empty Numbers

I love to write.  I’ve always loved to write.  I’ve been journaling since the day I learned to form letters with a pencil.  Its been one of the most consistent things in my life.  I consider it to be my art.  So its always been a very personal and sensitive thing with me.  And when I started Sofia’s Ideas, I wasn’t sure I would ever share it with people.

I’m so not an open book.  In fact, I’ve been described as “a hard nut to crack”, by many.  So putting myself out into the universe was uncomfortable, to say the very least.  But as time went on, I found the courage by committing to telling one person at a time.  I figured if strangers were reading & tweeting my posts, it was time for me to share it with people in my life.  But even then, the thought of someone I knew reading my writing, made me literally sweat.  I felt naked and exposed.

But it got easier.  And then it became comfortable.  And then it became enjoyable.  And then I found that I actually wanted more people to read my blog.  But I didn’t want to join groups whose main purpose was to get followers.  I only wanted people that actually read my blog and found value in it.  The last thing I wanted was Empty Numbers.

© Dan Ionut Popescu

After several months of having little traffic, and refusing to “sell out” just to get some, I realized that I wasn’t just keeping my integrity, I was being stubborn.  I realized that the blogosphere is a really big place and people weren’t going to just magically stumble upon my silly little blog.   So, I had to put myself out there by joining blog hops (started 2 weeks ago), following people, and being an active member in a network of bloggers.

I had a “lightbulb moment”.  I realized that every blog has an author that loves their blog as much as I love mine. Maybe for different reasons, but they want followers and readers just as much as I do. So, I pay it forward.

I’m glad that I finally decided to start hopping, because its been such a great experience.  I’ve found some really great writers, some amazing blogs, and “met” some really genuine people.  Of course I know that 596 people aren’t really reading my blog.  But out of those 596 who only stopped by from a hop, I have found some real gems who pause, and stay awhile, and make valuable comments.   And I reciprocate because that feeling is mutual.

Looking back on it, I actually find that term to be a bit condescending.  What I’ve learned is that behind each number, is a real person.  That person has a name, they have a family, a story or knowledge to share.  They probably have a blog of their own, a blog as unique as the individuals they are.  And just by spending a little bit of time with these individuals, on my blog or theirs, exchanging information or words of support and encouragement, I can safely say that there is nothing empty about these people.  And so in turn, there is no such thing as Empty Numbers.